Stephen Strasburg will face Florida Marlins at Sun Life Stadium next Friday

The Marlins will open the second half of the season against Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg next Friday.

There had been speculation that Strasburg might miss the series, as Washington tried to protect their rookie from logging too many innings. But Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said Strasburg will go first followed by Livan Hernandez.

“These veteran guys, they want to win ballgames,” Mananger Jim Riggleman said. “If we don’t send out our best early, those first two days, then we’re sending the wrong message to our ballclub.”